Textile sizing spray and method



ate nt- 33,968,120 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 lice 3,968,120 TEXTILE SIZHQG SERAY AND METHOD Albert Jacobson, 4 Linda Lane, Hatboro, Pa, and Charlton Goldberg, 790 Worthington Drive, Warminster, Pa. No Drawing. Filed Aug. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 50,003

v 6 Claims. (Cl. fill-104) This invention relates to means, compositions, and methods of textile sizing. More particularly, it relates to a composition, means to apply said composition, and method of applying said composition to textile fabrics, being particularly adapted to the sizing or resizing of said faiarics by the user thereof, after their manufacture and sa e.

It is of course generally known for manufacturers to size textile fabrics before sale, to improve the body there of, to increase soil-resistance, and to generally improve the appearance and wearing qualities of the textiles. SlZr ing materials are generally applied by baths into which the fabrics are dipped. As is also known, these initially applied sizing preparations eventually are lost from the fabric, due to laudering and wear. In the case of many fabrics, the lost sizing is never replaced and the fabric is continued in use with the decreased quality resulting therefrom. In the case of certain other fabrics, for example mensbusiness shirts, starch is often applied as part of the laudering and ironing process, to restore certain desirable qualities to the fabric. As is explained in more detail below, the application of starch is not completely satisfactory.

In a smaller number of cases, commercial laundry or dry-cleaning plants sometimes resize fabrics. The equipment used for such resizing is expensive and elaborate, and generally involves dipping tanks.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sizing composition in a form suitable for application by an individual'user of a fabric.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means and method whereby a sizing material may be applied to the textile fabrics by the indiivdual user of said fabrics.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sizing composition suitable for use in a pressurized can.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a sizing application means comprising a pressurized or aerosol can loaded with a sizing composition, and adapted for the spray application of sizing material to textile fabrics.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent herein.

The sizing composition used in this invention is an aqueous solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. In a broad sense, the use of this material, hereafter referred to as sodium CMC, has been known as a sizing agent. It has not been known heretofore as specifically prepared for spray application in the home. Development of the formulation, preparation, and method of application had to be made before sodium CMC could be considered suitable, and the discovery of such suitable conditions is of the essence of this invention.

In general, the use of sodium CMC as a sizing for textiles has many advantages. For example, application of sodium CMC increases the firmness and resiliency of the fabric and tends to produce a crease-resistant finish. Furthermore, it has been found that the soil resistance of fabrics may be substantially increased without impairing the softness of the fabric. The body, softness, and feel of the fabric are improved without imparting a board like stiffness, as is often associated with starch. Sodium CMC also has a higher degree of bacterial resistance than other sizings.

The sodium CMC is supplied in this embodiment in a form suitable for spraying in a relatively fine mist or fog onto fabrics, in ordinary home use, by the householder. The method of spray application, and the formulation found satisfactory are discussed in greater detail below.

It has been found that the householder may apply the product to any synthetic fabric textile, such as Orlon, Dacron, nylon, for example. It may be applied to natural fabrics such as silk, flannel, linen, cotton, and felt, for example. In brief, it may be applied to any fabric that is considered ironable. It may be applied to fabrics of any color.

It has been found through experimentation and sampling that the application of the product results in what is generally described a fresher, neat, and crisp appearance.

There is yet another particular advantage in the use as described of the hereindisclosed formulation. In normal recommended use, the sizing product is applied in spray form to the textile after washing and drying, but before ironing. It has been discovered that the process of ironing itself is made much easier when it follows application of this product. Thus, the application of the product, in addition to its other functions as have been set forth above, may serve as a substitute for sprinkling of clothes before ironing. It will be appreciated that this is an important consideration. In addition, it has been found that the sodium CMC may be applied as set forth also in conjunction with sprinkling, or while the clothes are damp. It has been found that the ease of ironing imparted by the application of the product persists whether the ironing is done immediately following the spray application or after the product has dried.

In addition to the general case of ironing resulting from the use of the product as indicated, it has been found that creases and wrinkles were more easily removed from the textile than if the ironing was performed without the use of the product.

While for many purposes, this product may be considered the equivalent of light starch, as well as having the other properties which have been described, it is apparent for certain uses where it has been customary to apply relatively heavy starch, that the use of this product as indicated would not substitute for such starching. Such ordinary laundry starch application may also be used in conjunction with the present formulation and process.

The preferred form of application of the product is from pressure cans of the aerosol type, such as are common for household uses. The general technology of such gas-pressurized cans is applicable in this application, and need not be set forth in detail. While gases such as carbon dioxide and Freon may be used, it has been found that nitrogen is preferable as the expelling medium.

The preferred and standard formulation is set forth below, and permissible variations from this preferable formulation are thereafter described. The preferred formulation comprises l /2% sodium carboxymethylcellulose; 0.025% sodium pentachlorophenol; /z% ammonium phosphate; /2% sodium chloride; 0.05% alkyl aryl polyether alcohol; 0.05% di-sodium ethyene-diaminetetraacetic acid; 0.05 perfume; and sufficient water.

One of the difficulties in producing a satisfactory formulation is that if enough sodium CMC is provided to be an effective sizing agent, the viscosity of the solution becomes too great for efficient spray dispensing in the described manner. Various measures are taken to avoid this problem; the sodium CMC should be of a lowviscosity grade, and it is commercially available in such grades. Low viscosity sodium CMC is known in the art as having a viscosity of less than 50 cp. in 2% aqueous solution at room temperature. For example, the sodium aoeaiao CMC produced by Du Pont should be of the grade known as 20LS or 10D. A suitable similar material produced by Wyandotte is known by the trade name Carbose VL.

it has been found that the preferred formulation involves 1 /2% of sodium CMC as set forth above. As lower proportions of the sodium CMC are used, the utility for sizing as applied in this invention drops off, and it may generally 'be said that 1 /2 is the lowest concentration providing a commercial utility. The percentage of sodium .CMC has been tested at higher concentrations and has been found to be practical up to about 3%. Tests have been made using concentrations of 3 /3%, 4%, and 5%. Such concentrations are usable under controlled conditions, but it has been found that they cannot be depended upon to give the even spray or fog which is necessary in the practice of this invention, largely because of the increased viscosity. Thus, 3% may be considered as the upper limit of usable concentration range.

The sodium pentachlorophenol is present for two purposes: as a preservative for the sodium CMC and as a sanitizing agent. The addition of this material aids the long term stability and usability of the sodium CMC. .In addition, it has been found that this agent tends to decrease mold growth on textiles, decreases the bacterial contamination of textiles, and decreases odor of bacterial origin on textiles. The preferred product is available from Dow Chemical Company as Dowicide G, and as Santobrite as a product of the Monsanto Chemical Company. The concentration set forth in the above preferred formulation is primarily suitable for the preserving function. To properly attain the sanitizing function, the concentration should best be approximately doubled from that given. Other suitable preservatives for sodium CMC include merthiolate, in concentrations of about 100 ppm. of total solution weight, methyl parasept, in concentrations, of about 1000v P.p.m., as well as other known agents.

The ammonium phosphate is an anti-rust material, to preserve the can. The sodium chloride has the function of decreasing the viscosity of the sodium CMC solution, thus permitting a relatively higher solid material content of the solution while still permitting it to be suitably spray-dispensed,

The alkyl aryl polyether alcohol is an emulsifying agent which helps dissolve the sodium CMC in water, and aids the penetration of the fabric fibers by the solution. This agent should be a non-ionic emulsifier, and thematerial used in the present product is known by the trade name Triton 'X-100, and is supplied by Rohm and Haas.

The di-sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (disodium EDTA) is also a rust inhibitor, and also serves to permit the sodium CMC to retain its viscosity in the presence of certain dissolved mineral salts in the water, such as manganese salts.

The perfume, which is Ivoron perfume in the present product, is of self-obvious use.

The solution may be prepared by adding to the water firstthe emulsifier and then the other materials while mixing, adding the perfume last. The process may be speeded up by maintaining the water at approximately 120-130 F. To aidin rapid dispersion of the sodium CMC, it may be premoistened with alcohol or acetone before adding to the water.

The product is preferrably applied to the fabrics by placing the fabrics horizontally on a surface such as an ironing board. The can is held approximately 1824 inches away and the spray is applied lightly and evenly over the entire surface. Particular areas of the fabric may be treated with heavier sprays if greater sizing is required. While the preferred means of application is a gas pressure bottle, it is apparent that mechanical spray applications may also be had.

It is apparent that the most important step forward represented by this invention is the concept of applying sodium CMC as a spray to fabrics by householders, with the advantages which have been described previously. It will be apparent that certain of the additives to the basic sodium CMC-water mixture may be eliminated under certain circumstances. For example, the perfume may be eliminated. The rust inhibitors and water softening agent may be dispensed with if, for example, suitable containers and suitable Water were available. As a matter of commercial practice, these agents are required. Under specialized spraying conditions, the sodium chlo ride might not be necessary. The preservative is a very valuable and preferred addition, but it is apparent that the process would be operable with a formulation which did not include this preservative. The combination of all the listed members provides a formulation which has a special merit and is highly preferred, since it makes possi- Me the use of the sizing properties of sodium CMC in home-applied sprays.

We claim:

1. The method of'using an aqueous solution of 1 /z%- 3% sodiumv carboxymethylcellulose, about 0.025% sodium pentachlorophenol, and about /2% ammonium phosphate, about /2 sodium chloride, about 0.05% noneionic emulsifier, about 0.05 di-sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and about 0.05 perfume, the remainder of ing spraying said solution on said fabric.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein there is l /2% of sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spray is gas-pressured.

4. A sizing solution for home spray application consisting of 1 /23% sodium carboxymethylcellulose, about 0.025% sodium pentachlorophenol, about /2% ammonium phosphate, about /z%' sodium chloride, about 0.05% non-ionic emulsifier, about 0.05% di-sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and the remainder water.

5. A solution as set forth in claim 4 wherein said emulsifier is an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol.

6. A sizing solution as set forth in claim 4 wherein said solution also consists of a minor quantity of perfume.

References Cited in the file of this paterk UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer .Assoc., Circular 688, pp. 191-194, August 1944. 

1. THE METHOD OF USING AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF 1 1/2%3% SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE ABOUT 0.025% SODIUM PENTACHLOROPHENOL, AND ABOUT 1/2% AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE, ABOUT 1/2% SODIUM CHLORIDE, ABOUT 0.05% NON-IONIC EMULSIFIER, ABOUT 0.05% DI-SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID, AND ABOUT 0.05% PERFUME, THE REMAINDER OF THE SOLUTION BEING WATER, AS A TEXTILE FABRIC SIZE COMPRISING SPRAYING SAID SOLUTION ON SAID FABRIC. 